Women's Tennis Upset by No. 14 Kentucky, 4-3 4/12/03
Commodores will now play SEC first-round match

LEXINGTON, Ky. - The 10th-ranked Vanderbilt women's tennis team had its eight-match winning streak halted on Saturday afternoon, as the Commodores were upset by No. 14 Kentucky at the Hilary J. Boone Tennis Complex.

The loss would be detrimental for the Commodores, as they will now have to play a first-round match at next week's Southeastern Conference Tournament in Knoxville, Tenn. Vanderbilt will play its opening round match on Thursday against an opponent yet to be determined. Check back to VUCommodores.com for updates on the SEC Tournament.

With their loss, the Commodores slip to 17-4 overall and 8-3 in the SEC, while the Wildcats improve 20-6 overall and 9-2 in the conference. All four of Vanderbilt's losses have been by a score of 4-3.

The match started off with Vanderbilt dropping the doubles point for only the third time this sesaon. The Commodores only victory at the No. 2 position, as junior Kelly Schmandt and sophomore Audra Falk defeated Jill Buckley and Leigh Bradwell, 8-4. Schmandt and Falk finish the SEC dual-match season with an incredible 10-1 record at the No. 2 position.

The fourth-ranked team of senior Sarah Riske and junior Aleke Tsoubanos were upset at the No. 1 position by the 11th-ranked team of Sarah Witten and Amy Trefethen, 8-4. Riske and Tsoubanos are now 26-5 on the year and 17-4 in dual matches.

The Wildcats bulit up a 3-0 lead, as they scored wins at the No. 5 and No. 1 positions. Trefethen had no problems with Vanderbilt freshman Ashley Schellhas, as she scored a 6-1, 6-1, victory. Trefethen's triumph prevented Schellhas from posting a perfect 10-0 record in SEC action.

At the No. 1 position, the 48th-ranked Witten scored an upset over 15th-ranked Riske, 6-3, 6-2. With the loss, Riske had her eight-match winning streak snapped; however, she finishes the dual-match season with an oustanding 17-4 record.

With the Commodores' back against wall, they were able to rattle off three-straight victories to tie the team score at 3-3. Falk clinched Vanderbilt's first singles point, as she easily defeated Stafford in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2, at the No. 2 spot.

The 68th-ranked Tsoubanos posted the second team point, as she also had little problems in defeating 75th-ranked Nathalie Roels, 6-3, 6-1. Tsoubanos finishes the regular season with a 18-3 dual-match record.

Schmandt recorded Vanderbilt's final point at the No. 3 position, as she defeated Buckley in straight-sets, 6-4, 6-2. She has now won five-straight matches and 17 of her last 19.

Kentucky clinched the win at the No. 6 position, as Shannon Stough battled back from one-set down to defeat sophomore Annie Menees, 2-6, 6-3, 7-5.

Singles

Doubles